Tiny Houses for Los Angeles’ Homeless

Elvis Summers started with just one 8-foot-long house on wheels for a homeless grandmother, but his mission has escalated. People are helping with the construction of the homes and he has received numerous donations of materials. Although, how did this one act of kindness become a full-out campaign?

Summers filmed and posted a video on YouTube of him building a tiny house for Irene “Smokie” McGhee, a woman who has been homeless for more than 10 years. He spent less than $500 on materials for a building that can be wheeled around by one person with ease. 5.6 million people viewed this video on YouTube!

A GoFundMe account has raised more than $60,000 in less than a month and many people are offering to help. Summers also wants to get the homeless to help with the construction. The only thing that is unclear about these houses is that if the city of Los Angeles would make laws for these tiny homes. However, the police told McGhee if she moves the home, which is small enough to fit into a parking space, every three days it wouldn’t be a problem. Plus, the home is so small it does not require permits if it is built on private property.

Tiny homes being built for the homeless! Picture Credit: http://inhabitat.com/occupy-madison-builds-tiny-homes-for-the-homeless-using-recycled-and-repurposed-materials/